Under-fire Malik to remain captain

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt said on Friday that Shoaib Malik will remain captain for next month's one-day and a possible Test series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi despite the team's lackluster show under him.
    
Butt said he was satisfied with Malik's captaincy but not with the overall performance of the team.
    
Malik was named captain until December this year by the former Chairman of the board, Dr Nasim Ashraf.
    
His captaincy has been criticised by former players and critics but Butt said Malik has been making good progress.
    
"His captaincy will be reviewed when it is time in December. But the team's performance has to improve. Since last year the board has distributed around Rs 25 million as bonus to the players and I don't think they deserved it," Butt stated.
    
He said a governing body meeting would be called in which all major decisions would be debated and approved.
    
Butt is expected to make changes in the board set-up with senior officials like Shafqat Naghmi, Zakir Khan and Nadeem Akram expected to be asked for resignations.
    
Pakistan plays three one-dayers against the West Indies from November 12 to 16 in Abu Dhabi and talks are on to convince to play two Tests at the same venue immediately after the one-day series.
    
Malik is due to meet Butt and brief him about the team's performance this week.